Let 'Er Buck!

Starred review from December 21, 2018

Gr 3-6-Growing up in Eastern Oregon at the turn of the 20th century, George Fletcher discovered a love for horses at an early age: by 16, "life in the saddle and riding rough were all he hankered for." He competed in rodeos and performed stunts in Wild West shows, aiming for prizes, but Nelson notes "When he was allowed to compete, the judges hardly ever treated him fair." Readers will be mesmerized by lyrical, conversational prose that describes the "rhythm of the ride, the rise and fall, the whirl and twirl, the spin and swerve" of Fletcher's rodeo moves. James captures the energy of the bucking horses and the tension and grace of the riders in vibrant oil-on-board paintings. A vivid close-up image depicts the horses' tossing heads, bared teeth, and wide eyes. The end notes include a more complete biographical sketch of Fletcher and information about the other two riders in the Saddle Bronc Championship of 1911, Jackson Sundown and John Spain. Nelson's discussion about her research process is particularly strong: she clearly identifies her sources, and when evidence is scant, she justifies her authorial decisions. VERDICT An excellent choice for most biography collections. The rollicking language and gorgeous art make this a terrific read-aloud and conversation starter for older elementary students.-Jennifer Costa, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Starred review from November 1, 2018
Honing skills first learned from Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse friends in eastern Oregon, African-American cowboy George Fletcher bucked his way into legend at the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up.Nelson introduces readers to George as a boy learning his craft on the Umatilla Indian Reservation near Pendleton, where his family settled after moving from Kansas. Racism from the local whites cemented his friendship with the Native kids, and he absorbed their lessons in horsemanship. From the age of 16, he competed in rodeos that didn't exclude black competitors. Nelson plaits her narrative with Western lingo and homespun similes: "Ranching fit George like made-to-measure boots." The centerpiece of her narrative is the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up, where 21-year-old George competed against Nez Perce cowboy Jackson Sundown and white rancher John Spain. Here, Nelson puts as much effort into developing their broncs as characters as she does the humans, drawing from meticulous primary-source research to place readers in the moment. Although George mesmerized the audience with his skill, Spain was awarded first place--an act of unfairness recognized by the local sheriff, a decent white man, who spontaneously led a successful effort to anoint George "People's Champion." James' painterly oils swirl with energy, visible daubs creating the dusty, monumental landscape and equally monumental horses and humans. Six pages of backmatter include a glossary, bibliography, further information on Fletcher and other key players, and a fascinating discussion of the research challenges Nelson encountered.A champion indeed. (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

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Starred review from January 1, 2019
Grades 2-5 *Starred Review* George Fletcher's African American family took the Oregon Trail from Kansas when he was 10 years old. After settling in Pendleton, Oregon, he became friends with children living on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and grew up with a passion for horses and a talent for tam[ing] a horse without breaking what he loved so much?its spirit. This picture-book biography is filled with Fletcher's own spirit as, despite facing prejudice in his attempts to enter and be judged fairly in rodeos, he became an expert in riding a bucking bronco. In a pivotal 1911 competition, he placed second to a white man despite the crowd's and even the local sheriff's belief in George's superior horsemanship, and the dramatic accounts of before, during, and after this episode are enthralling. The fantastic colloquial language is atmospheric without being overwrought (he took to their ways like a wet kitten to a warm brick ), and the excellent and thorough back matter includes insight into Coretta Scott King Award-winning Nelson's research process. Caldecott Honor Book illustrator James' oil-on-board illustrations are magnificent, utilizing a dusty yet rich palette in a variety of double-page spreads, single-page portraits, and spot art to show exciting action scenes that match the energy of the text. A distinguished depiction of men and horses, and an under-told piece of history from the Old West.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)